Getting organized to prepare for your tax appointment can save you a ton of time, and is well worth the effort.
If tax season just ended, this list will help you know what documents to watch for and save throughout the year. If your appointment is coming up soon, it’s a handy checklist to help you gather everything you’ll need.
Tax laws change every year — sometimes dramatically — making DIY tax filing more complicated than it looks, even with the best software.
That’s why we’re here: to make tax time easy and stress-free for you.
Below is a comprehensive list of documents and information you might need during tax preparation. Not all items will apply to everyone, but this checklist covers the majority of our clients’ situations.
Don’t be overwhelmed — while the list is long, it’s designed to help you maximize your tax savings and keep as much of your hard-earned money as possible.
Note: Some deductions have changed or disappeared this year, and new rules are on the horizon. We’ll guide you through all these updates — so you never have to navigate them alone.
Even if you decide not to use our services this year, feel free to use this list as a reliable resource.
Download the Tax Preparation Checklist:
Tax Preparation Checklist
Personal Data
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Social Security Numbers (including spouse and children)
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Child care provider tax I.D. or Social Security Number
Employment & Income Data
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W-2 forms for this year
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Tax refunds and unemployment compensation: Form 1099-G
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Miscellaneous income including rent: Form 1099-MISC
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Partnership and trust income
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Pensions and annuities
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Alimony received
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Jury duty pay
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Gambling and lottery winnings
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Prizes and awards
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Scholarships and fellowships
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State and local income tax refunds
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Unemployment compensation
Health Insurance Information
NOTE — As it says on the IRS health insurance information page, form 1040 will not have the “full-year health care coverage or exempt” box and Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions, will no longer be used. You need not make a shared responsibility payment or file Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions, with your tax return if you don’t have minimum essential coverage for part or all of 2019.
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All 1095-A Forms from Marketplace providers (if you purchased insurance through a Marketplace)
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Records of credits and/or advance payments received from the Premium Tax Credit (if claiming)
Homeowner/Renter Data
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Residential address(es) for this year
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Mortgage interest: Form 1098
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Sale of your home or other real estates: Form 1099-S
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The second mortgage interest paid
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Real estate taxes paid
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Rent paid during the tax year
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Moving expenses (if in the active military, and moving for new orders)
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Reimbursements for moving (counts as ordinary income)
Financial Assets
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Interest income statements: Form 1099-INT & 1099-OID
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Dividend income statements: Form 1099-DIV
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Proceeds from broker transactions: Form 1099-B
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Retirement plan distribution: Form 1099-R
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Capital gains or losses
Financial Liabilities
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Auto loans and leases (account numbers and car value) if vehicle used for business
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Student loan interest paid
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Early withdrawal penalties on CDs and other fixed time deposits
Expenses
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Gifts to charity (receipts for any single donation of $250 or more)
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Unreimbursed expenses related to volunteer work
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Investment expenses
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Job-hunting expenses
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Education expenses (tuition and fees)
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Child care expenses
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Medical Savings Accounts
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Adoption expenses
Automobiles
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Personal property tax information
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Department of Motor Vehicles fees
Self-Employment Data
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Estimated tax vouchers for the current year
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Self-employment tax
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Self-employment SEP plans
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Self-employed health insurance
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K-1s on all partnerships
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Receipts or documentation for business-related expenses
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Farm income
Deduction Documents
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State and local income taxes (note: $10,000 limit, as last year)
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IRA, Keogh, and other retirement plan contributions
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Medical expenses
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Other miscellaneous deductions